Then quietly he came down again.
Macquart had now been kept in the room for two days and two nights.

He had had time to indulge in lengthy reflections.

After his sleep, his first hours had been given up to outbursts of impotent rage.

Goaded by the idea that his brother was lording it in the adjoining room, he had felt a great longing to break the door open.

At all events he would strangle Rougon with his own hands, as soon as the insurgents should return and release him.